Transcript of today's Blue Jackets online chat

Tuesday

Apr 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMApr 29, 2009 at 5:06 PM

Each Wednesday at noon during the NHL season, Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com readers can chat online with either Aaron Portzline or Tom Reed, The Dispatch's Blue Jackets beat writers. Here's a transcript of today's chat with Aaron.

Each Wednesdayat noon during the NHL season, Dispatch.com and BlueJacketsXtra.com readers can chat online with either Aaron Portzline or Tom Reed, The Dispatch's Blue Jackets beat writers.

Here's a transcript of today's chat with Aaron:

[Rob_(moderator)] Hi, everyone. Welcome to the farewell edition of the our weekly CBJ chats. Feel free to start sending your questions for Aaron. We'll get started around noon. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy a pork chop or slab of bacon.

[Rob_(moderator)] I'm posting the following question now because it's more my area than Aaron's ...

[Scog] Is Blue Jackets Xtra going "off the air" for awhile, or will updates just slow down a bunch?

[Rob_(moderator)] BlueJacketsXtra.com will continue to function. Obviously, there will be less content in the off-season than during the season. But there's CBJ and NHL news year round, and that's where you'll find it. Ditto with the Puck-Rakers blog and fan forums. Cannon Fodder podcasts likely are done until late summer, though there might be one every so often.

[Rob_(moderator)] Welcome, Porty. Ready to roll?

[Portzline] Fire!

[cbj radio fan] How can the CBJ organization even think of letting the "voices of the Jackets" go?

[Portzline] That's a question I can't answer. I attempted to speak with members of the front office on Tuesday regarding this issue, but they sent out "no comments" through PR boss Todd Sharrock. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, how the public responds. As noted in the article, switching broadcasters can be a tricky proposition.

[jacketsfan77] I have been, in one way or another, involved in broadcasting my entire life. The biggest joke I have ever heard was at the end of the article about the broadcasters that said the organization told them not to mention the 8 year struggle or Mr. Mac. Why is it that the empty hearted suits who made that decision aren't the ones in limbo as opposed to our broadcasters, most especially Davidge and Mathews?

[Portzline] Very good question. Somebody I know in the business -- outside central Ohio -- said it's the worst broadcasting decisino he's ever heard. Really, that took away a lot of the thrill for viewers/listeners. Further, I've heard that ESPN wanted to use the "magic" moment of Fedor Tyutin's shootout goal as one of their top plays that night, but the "clip" didn't have the excitement they were looking for, thus it was deemed unuseable. That says a lot, no?

[HAT Trick] Are the Blue Jackets TV and radio personalities well paid?

[Lori Schmidt] To your knowledge does Blue Jackets brass check the comments on your stories, the fairly overwhelming poll today on Dispatch.com, or the message boards for feedback on the broadcasters?

[Portzline] I would be shocked if they didn't. They will deny that, of course, but I'm sure they want to get as much feedback from their fans as possible.

[ThankYouHowsen] Which UFA's currently on the Jackets roster do you see them re-signing?

[Portzline] They'll try to resign Malhotra. As the summer plays out, they may come back to Jason Williams, Michael Peca and Wade Dubielewicz. To put it bluntly -- if they can't do better than those three, they'll start talking to them again. Say goodbye to Christian Backman, and thank him for the OT game-winner vs. San Jose. No way he'll be back.

[Scog] Which areas should the Blue Jackets focus on for the NHL Draft? Are these specific areas where we need more young talent?

[Portzline] They'll be picking in the middle of the first round. The focus should be on taking the best available player. If all things are equal, I would certainly lean toward a defenseman. That's been a sore spot in this organization from the start. They haven't taken a first-round defenseman since Rostislav Klesla.

[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] What is your opinion on linesmen/refs calling minor penalties in the last minutes of an important, hard fought game?

[Portzline] I assume you mean the "too many men" penalty late in Game 4. If the linesman doesn't make that call -- it played out right in front of him -- he may never work another game in his life, certainly not a playoff game. Really, to ignore it would be a deliberate attempt to impact a game. Can't have that. Having said all this, it's a crazy way to end such a brutal, physical, wonderful game.

[Max] Will Filatov be spending most of his summer in Columbus or will he go to Russia for the majority of the off season?

[Portzline] Don't know for sure. I'm sure he'll spend some time in Mother Russia. But he'll spend significant time with Barry Brennan, the Blue Jackets strength and conditioning coach. The goal for Filatov is 190 by September.

[puckhogg] ap do you think that the budget will allow for scott to take a run at JayBo ? and if not who would you guess he would go after to help on the backend?

[Portzline] My feeling is he has to make a trade for a defenseman or two. The Blue Jackets have too many forwards, especially if Malhotra returns (I think he will) and Filatov makes the club (I think he will). I don't see them taking a run at Bouwmeester. I see them trying to provide cap relief to clubs that desperately need it -- the Rangers leap to mind -- by offering them a 3-for-1 type trade.

[hockeymom] Are any of the players still here and practicing?

[Portzline] Lots of players still here, yes. All the players who have kids in school will be here until early or mid-June. Commodore is still here. So is Umberger. I'd be surprised to see them on the ice anytime soon, though. Most will take a few weeks off from skating.

[firethecannon] There has been a lot of talk about how well Klesla played in the playoffs and the sense that he is now going to be a reliable player. Wouldn't it be more logical to capitalize on his good play and trade him while his value is high. After watching him for years, it is hard to believe 4 games trumps the rest.

[Portzline] Yes. Very valid point. They aren't going to trade Commodore, Hejda or Tyutin, I wouldn't think. Commodore and Tyutin were just recently acquired, and they like them both. Hejda has a very favorable contract. The club has invested a lot in Russell. I could see Klesla and/or Methot on the move, with Klesla having more trade value. It'll be interesting to see how the blue line is reworked this summer.

[HAT Trick] Are you a dispassionate journalist or are you also a fan?

[Portzline] I am a passionate journalist. How's that? I am not a fan, nor should I be a fan.

[wmbuck] Having Columbus, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis & Nashville in The West seems to be an unnecessary playoff scheduling problem. Will re-alignment ever hapen?

[Portzline] No. The problem is finding a club in the East that wants to move to the West. Good luck with that. If a franchise in the East folds, it could impact that, but the most likely franchise to fold right now appears to be Phoenix. So that doesn't help. Here's an idea. How about a North-South conference format, so everybody has to travel cross-country? I'd vote Columbus into the south, by the way.

[Red Dog] Are newspaper contracts on the same sort of schedule as the broadcasters? That is to say... are you, Condor, and Mr. Arace still going to be there for us next year? I, for one, love your coverage.

[Portzline] Thanks very much for the comment and the concern. Our contracts are nothing like the broadcasters' for one simple reason: We don't have contracts. We're day-to-day, week-to-week.

[xanbo] Hey AP, the wealth of talented prospects in the forward ranks are well documented. Are there any promising young defensemen on the radar?

[Portzline] The scouts I talk to are really high on Nick Holden. Brent Regner had a huge season in junior hockey this year. Others to consider: Ted Ruth, Cody Goloubef and Will Weber.

[Gare's Telestrator] With all of the talk about problems with TV viewership (local and national complaints), is there any progress in the league office about getting back on to ESPN?

[Portzline] I've heard there's been sporadic talk, that it would be ESPN/Versus just like it's ESPN/TNT for basketball. (right?) Not being on ESPN has really hurt the NHL. Right or wrong, like it or not, to most people under 35 years old, ESPN legitimizes sports. (God. I can't believe I just typed that.)

[Ryan R] Have you heard anything about the next move for a permenant CBJ goaltending coach? Will Malarchuk return?

[Portzline] All is quiet on Malarchuk. Name to keep in mind: Dave Rook. He was Mason's goaltending coach in junior, and he's the guy he credits with most of his success.

[bop] Does your budget include a trip to the awards banquet in Vegas?

[Portzline] Don't know yet. We're trying to arrange the trip. If Ken Hitchcock is named a Jack Adams Trophy finalist, it will increase the chances, as it becomes an even bigger story for central Ohio. We shall see.

[Red Dog] Generally speaking will NHL clubs wait until after the playoffs to start wheeling and dealing? I know we keep hearing July 1st. Is that a hard start to off-season contract negotiations? What about trades?

[Portzline] Trades can happen now, but all is mostly quiet. Free agency starts on July 1, but clubs can negotiate with their own free agents at any time. The deal with Nash is this: he can't sign an extension until he's in the final year of his existing contract, and he's not technically in the final year of his contract until July 1. But, as far as Malhotra, Peca, Williams, etc., the club can sign them to a new contract right now as along as both sides agree.

[Sweet Lou] Why did you have Boll as one of your biggest dissapointments this year?

[Portzline] I thought he was better in all facets as a rookie. He didn't take a step forward, rather a half-step backward. Part of it, I'm sure, was due to the injury he suffered on opening night when he lost a long fight in Dallas to Krys Barch. Backman would have been the runner-up or perhaps the winner, but the expectations for him weren't high at all, thus he couldn't be a disappointment. I expected more out of Boll. This, after all, is the kid who was billed by a certain somebody as the next Rick Tocchet.

[ddc] Porty, great job by you and Reed this year. Did Hitch give you any indication that he was disappointed by the mental focus in the first three games of the series? I doubt he would but I can only imagine what could have happened had they been dialed in from the get go. Or was Detroit just too good to even compete with?

[Portzline] Thanks. It was the mental focus, so much that Hitchcock was upset about, but the ease with which the Blue Jackets became demoralized. They were thoroughly outclassed in those three games. I don't think it was a matter of being "dialed in." They were outclassed. Now they have a good read on what to expect. It's a significant difference, a significant wake-up call for lots of players.

[jbloch] Thoughts on a #2 goalie? I gather mgt. feels Lelonde needs more seasoning ath the 'cuse. A blogger here the other day mentioned Manny Fernandez--I realize his numbers with the Bruins were good this year--I just remember seeing in a game on Versus where he looked bad. Any other ones come to mind out there?

[NWOhioFan] At games when there's only two or three Dispatch journalists, how are you able to write stories that include so many quotes? (CBJ players, Hitchcock, visiting players, visiting coach, etc...)

[Portzline] It's magic. The three of us work the same dressing room, grabbing players as they mill about. Hitchcock speaks after the dressing room as cleared out. Often, one of us will head down to the visitor's room if there's a certain question we want answered.

[puckhogg] what are scott and hitch up too? are they taking in any playoff games looking at potential free agents or is that a scouting thing ?

[Portzline] Lots of scouting going on, mostly by Howson and the scouting staff. Knowing Hitchcock, he's probably knee-deep in film right now, studying ways to make the team better. I sense there's a little relaxation and golf on tap for Hitchcock, too.

[rob on the kob] as a journalist in Columbus, do you see an east coast bias in the national media as related to hockey? And were you disappointed with the lack of national attention given to the Jackets playoff run?

[Portzline] First question: I suppose, but look at all the "East Coast" clubs that made the playoffs. It's large market bias, more than anything. TV wants a big crowd to sell to. So it goes. Second question: I wasn't disappointed, no. If it was a competitive compelling series, plenty of attention would have turned this way.

[kmt4413] are detroit as good as they looked against the cbj? predictions?

[Portzline] Yes. Question is, can Anaheim do a better job of getting to the puck and getting in front of Osgood. I think the Red Wings will make it out of the West. Would love to see them play Pittsburgh again in the final. Great series.

[xanbo] Who is the man on the Jackets bench who retrieves new sticks when a player breaks one? That is one busy man! I notice durring faceoffs he often stands with a stick in hand for the center taking the draw since there is an increased chance of breakage there. Fascinating to watch when the game on the ice is less than stellar.

[Portzline] It's the same guy who fetches fresh gloves for Peca every other shift, one of the equipment guys, Tim Leroy, Jamie Healy and Jason Stypinski.

[kmt4413] Can we expect the online chat to continue through the off season?

[Portzline] We'll do them more sporadically. It depends on reader interest. Definitely we'll do them around time of the draft, free agency, etc. Unclear at this time.

[Mr. Matt] Will the team continue to honor Mr. Mac with the JHM on their sweaters and behind the goal next season?

[Portzline] I don't know the answer to that. My guess is the JHM will stay somewhere on the sweater. Don't know about the ice.

[puckhogg] so ap what is in store for you now that the season is over ?

[Portzline] Hockey all the time. Keeping track of the broadcaster's situation, keeping an eye on Malhtora's contract situation -- call into his agent already -- and second-round previews for the playoffs. Lots of stuff to keep me busy.

[puckbuck] We hear all too often that the team didn't come to play, not mentally in to it, easily discouraged, fragile, etc etc. -- all of that behavioral bunk. Which players on this team find it difficult to play with energy/enthusiasm each and every night? Exactly who are the fragile ones?

[Portzline] I think people hear a player or a coach say that his team didn't "have the energy" to compete and interpret that as a lack of desire. First off, it's most often entirely bunk. The old "energy" line is athlete verbal vomit for " we lost and I don't know what else to say." It's pro sports. You lose sometimes. This was a very competitive team this year. They're only getting better, too. I didn't think a lack of desire was an issue much at all this year.

[xanbo] When a player like Nash speaks to the media regarding contract extension talks, do you think there is pressure by agents or possibly even the players' association to plant some seeds of doubt so the Jackets will come to the bargaining table feeling like they have to spend big bucks? I'm looking for some insight into the behind-the-scenes politicking.

[Portzline] Yeah, sure there is. The most foolish act Nash could possible do right now would be to say: "I'm going to sign with Columbus no matter what." Until he sees the deal, he'd be foolish to make any promises. Having said that, he's made it clear that he wants to stay here, that he'll be glad to sign if the contract is "fair", according to him and his agent. Don't misread his agent's silence, either. Joe Resnick is a good guy. He has a good reputation around the league and a good relationship with the Blue Jackets. But he also has a job to do. Nothing he says in the media can serve his client right now. That's how he feels. I keep bugging him, but it doesn't change. I respect that.

[kmt4413] dubbie had me cracking up most of the season with his enthusiasm on the bench! will he be back?

[Portzline] Only if they can't do better. That sounds mean, I know, but they're trying to get a solid, proven back-up for Mason. If they try and can't, the Dubester is on speed dial. He is a hoot, too. I've never seen a goalie act out his saves and non-saves in the middle of the dressing room. I swear, he walked into the room and it was like he'd been there 10 years. That's how well he fit in.

[Jacket For Life] Aaron, what is one issue you'll keep your eye on this offseason in regards to the CBJ's ability to return to the playoffs next year?

[Portzline] My top priority as a beat writer is the Rick Nash contract extension. Beyond that, it's Howson's attempts to rebuild the blue line and breathe life into the power play.

[Lee] Did you watch either game last night? How surprised are you that Brodeur gave up two goals in the last two minutes?

[Portzline] Very surprised. Wonder if Scott Clemmensen makes those saves. How about those Hurricanes, eh? Congrats to Ray Whitney. A good dude.

[JSav22] AP, given Nash signs an extention this summer, what do you see the terms being? Take a stab at what might fall into the 'fair' category.

[Portzline] I've been saying 8 years, $60 million or 10 years, $70 million. If I'm right on either, I should get a cut, no?

[rob on the kob] after the electric atmosphere in the arena during the playoffs, can we expect the return of the dreaded third period kiss cam, or will the game ops people shake things up for the next season?

[Portzline] I certainly hope so. I almost fainted when Van Halen's "Jump" started cranking -- fine tune, obviously -- only to be covered by some juvenile rap lyrics. A national writer walked up a few minutes later and said: "Still a lot of work to do here, huh?" I had to agree. It borders on embarrassing sometimes.

[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] Backman was as worthless as Brian Engblom's barber. How did he wind up here? Was that Howson's single misstep this year?

[Portzline] No, not a misstep. Backman was a throw-in on the Tyutin deal. It helped eleviate the Rangers' cap problems after they signed Wade Redden. The Blue Jackets were happy to do it, as it got rid of Zherdev and brought in Tyutin, whom Howson had long pursued.

[Rob_(moderator)] Thanks, everyone. Good questions. AP, thanks for all of the time and effort you took this season with the chats and the coverage in general. I can attest to the fact that it was greatly appreciated. Any final thoughts?

[Portzline] Thanks very much for the questions. I truly appreciate it.